AP Language and Composition Course Overview

AP Exam – Freshman Composition Credit

¤  Language and Rhetoric, Nonfiction ¤  Multiple Choice – Critical Reading

¤  Literary Analysis Essay

¤  Persuasive Argument Essay

¤  Synthesis Essay

American Literature Survey

¤  Essential questions of study – fiction and nonfiction ¤  How has the concept of the American Dream evolved

throughout our history?

¤  How does American literature reflect the changing philosophies of man’s relationship to God and nature?

¤  How are various aspects of American cultural beliefs and events reflected in literary themes, styles, settings and archetypes?

Framework for Literary Study Language and Rhetoric, Experiential Learning

What is rhetoric?

ARISTOTELIAN TRIANGLE

from Conversations in American Literature (CAL), pp. 2 – 6.

The Rhetorical Situation

¤  Occasion

¤  Context

¤  Purpose

from Conversations in American Literature (CAL), pp. 2 – 6.

History of Rhetoric

Syra

cu

se

Corax’s “The Art of Rhetoric” was created for commoners’ use during post-dictator land disputes.

Sop

hist

s Brought the art of rhetoric to Athens – earned distrust because they charged money Pl

ato

an

d A

risto

tle

Believed in absolute truth: Plato focused on morality, while Aristotle focused on situation.

Ro

ma

ns Cicero

proposed using in civic affairs – until concern over punishment from dictators forced focus on style and delivery.

Mid

dle

Ag

es Used mostly in

letter writing and preaching.

Re

na

issa

nc

e

Believed in using symbols (language) for making meaning.

Ra

tion

alis

m

Reason and logic preferred over emotion and feeling.

Co

nte

mp

ora

ry

Rhetoric associated with propaganda and political language.

Foss, Karen A. "Rhetorical Theory." Encyclopedia of Communication Theory. Ed. . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 2009. 854-58. SAGE Reference Online. Web. 29 Jun. 2012.

AP Reading Guide: SOAPStone

¤  Subject

¤  Occasion/Context

¤  Audience

¤  Purpose

¤  Speaker

¤  Tone

(See chart in CAL, p. 6.)

Experiential Learning – Acquisition of Essential Skills

Sharing exchanging

reactions and

observations

Processing considering

patterns and dynamics

Generalizing developing real-world principles

Applying using new

knowledge in novel

situations

Experiencing activity phase

adapted from www.nationalserviceresources.gov

Essential Skill: Close-Reading

¤  Homework reading assignment: ¤  Conversations in Literature, pp. 41 – 60. Read the sample

readings, but skip any blue boxes labeled “Activity.” ¤  Major Sections and Subsections:

¤  Analyzing Style ¤  Establishing the Rhetorical Situation ¤  A Model Analysis ¤  Determining Tone

¤  Talking with the Text ¤  Asking Questions ¤  Annotating ¤  Using a Graphic Organizer ¤  From Close Reading to Analysis

¤  Read closely GOW, chapter 1. What do you see this time?